How grave is the current water crisis in the Western U.S.? The water shortage has affected all 22 states west of the Mississippi. In addition, 98 million people in the Southwest are dealing with decreased water availability. California Governor Jerry Brown has announced a mandatory 25 percent cutback in water consumption in all cities, as the drought is already affecting more than 50 million people in the region. It’s no surprise that agricultural output is suffering in the region as a result: Wheat and rice production are already significantly down from annual averages, with fruit and nut production also at risk.

Over the past two decades, one form of drip irrigation technology has rapidly advanced: Subsurface drip irrigation, a low pressure, high efficiency irrigation system that utilizes drip tubes or tape in order to meet specific crop water needs. Ideal for farms in dry, hot and windy regions with limited water supplies, SDI systems run underground, allowing crops to thrive without above-ground impediments.

It’s about quality, not quantity!”

Longtime players in the produce industry know that irrigating a farm with clean, high-quality water can help farms pass audits and lessen vulnerability to recalls. But quantity — the amount of water that you use — should also be a consideration.  

Technology and automation are expected to play a big role in fresh-cut produce facilities of the future.However, when it comes to producing a product that’s both safe and fresh, produce processors must combine the efficiency of these new systems with the expertise of well-educated employees. Fortunately, there are lots of resources employers can use to train their staff in effective fresh-cut safety practices.

Maintaining a safe pool is about more than just good chlorination practices and fishing out the occasional leaf or tree branch. Although a low maintenance system like the Accu-Tab® Chlorination system can be a great way to add the proper amounts of chlorine to your pool to stave off bacteria and other contaminants, undesirably high pH levels can result in scale deposits and restricting water flow.

"Swings in pH can result in considerable pool damage,” says Westlake Water Solutions’s senior research associate, Dr. Stanley Pickens. “Metal fixtures or head exchangers may be corroded and corrosion products can stain plaster. Control of pH can also be important in keeping chlorine working properly. Extremes of pH can be irritating or damaging to skin and eyes.”

Insure the Farm, Not Commodities, to Promote Farm Growth

Diversification is a crucial aspect of running a viable farm--it can save natural resources, spread economic risk, and capitalize on profitable niche markets, just to name a few benefits.